“Rumble” young man, rumble.
Anthony Johnson (21-5) added another first-round finish to his resume at UFC on FOX 18 earlier tonight (Sat. Jan. 30, 2016), knocking out Ryan Bader (20-5) inside Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., in the night’s main event.
Johnson rained down huge punches from the back of Bader and put him out cold on the canvas for the knockout victory. The fourteenth knockout of his career, and eleventh in the first round.
The official stoppage came at 1:26 of the first round.
To watch Johnson wreck Bader check out the UFC on FOX 18 video highlights right here.
“I never get full mount. You know what I’m saying? How you all like my jiu-jitsu now?” Johnson joked with Joe Rogan after the fight.
Bader shot in for a takedown immediately to start the bout, but Johnson deftly sprawled to avoid it. “Rumble” transitioned to the back of Bader, but had his arm trapped by the No. 4-ranked UFC Light Heavyweight. Johnson eventually transitioned to mount and Bader would eventually let go of Johnson’s arm.
Once Bader let go of the arm of Johnson, the end was only seconds away. Johnson began teeing off with a barrage of huge and heavy strikes on Bader, who was already face down and unconscious when referee Keith Peterson stepped in to wave off the bout.
It was an important win for the No. 2-ranked UFC Light Heavyweight, who needs to stay in title contention while current champion Daniel Cormier will likely defend his title against Jon Jones within the next couple of months. Johnson has now won two straight since losing to Cormier back at UFC 187, and is 5-1 since returning to UFC and entering the promotion’s 205-pound division.
Tough loss for Bader, who had won five straight prior to tonight’s main event. He will now plummet out of title contention with the devastating knockout loss. Bader falls to 13-5 in UFC.
For complete UFC on FOX 18: “Johnson vs. Bader” results, including play-by-by updates, click here.